Remember those meta-analyses we discussed about the impact of violent video games on behavior? There's an article on this topic (citing those studies) in the most recent issue of the APA Monitor. You can link to it here:
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2010/12/virtual-violence.aspx
It highlights the debate around this issue, and the upcoming Supreme Court case. Apparently the focus of the Supreme Court case is whether M-rated video games should be sold to minors. The APA apparently decided not to file a brief supporting one side or the other. Looks like their opinion is that more research is needed.
I just thought it was neat that some articles we discussed in class showed up in the Monitor!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
What if we could get access to all the data on Facebook?
This is an interesting article about some potential research uses of Facebook data such as status updates:
http://www.slate.com/id/2276314/
It would be a real goldmine of information for social science researchers!
Did you know there is already something on Facebook called "Openbook" that lets you search status updates from open Facebook profiles? I had no idea! Try typing in a phrase and see what happens...
http://www.slate.com/id/2276314/
It would be a real goldmine of information for social science researchers!
Did you know there is already something on Facebook called "Openbook" that lets you search status updates from open Facebook profiles? I had no idea! Try typing in a phrase and see what happens...
Monday, November 29, 2010
'Offlining' on Holidays
I found this article on CNN.com about a website promoting 'offlining.' Basically the goal of this website was to try to get people to put down their phones, computers, and other technologies and enjoy their Thanksgiving with their family. The website included a virtual pledge that people could sign, and e-cards that you could send to friends and family to try and get them to participate as well. This is the article if you want to read it:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/web/11/24/offline.thanksgiving/index.html
I thought it was really interesting. I mean is it really asking that much that we not use technology for one day when you are supposed to be enjoying time with your family and giving thanks for everything you have? But how many of us actually put down our cell phones for the whole day or didn't check anything online? I know that I used my phone much less than I do on a normal day, but I did use it. I think maybe it is a good idea to promote 'offlining,' just for the few major holidays there are in a year; with the exception of talking to family members who aren't there. That is a legitimate reason for using technology on a holiday in my opinion. But I do think that disconnecting ourselves from technology might make holidays better. It is annoying to have people constantly texting, tweeting, and checking their facebook when you're trying to have a nice meal or family time. Reading this article made me think about trying to do that for Christmas.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/web/11/24/offline.thanksgiving/index.html
I thought it was really interesting. I mean is it really asking that much that we not use technology for one day when you are supposed to be enjoying time with your family and giving thanks for everything you have? But how many of us actually put down our cell phones for the whole day or didn't check anything online? I know that I used my phone much less than I do on a normal day, but I did use it. I think maybe it is a good idea to promote 'offlining,' just for the few major holidays there are in a year; with the exception of talking to family members who aren't there. That is a legitimate reason for using technology on a holiday in my opinion. But I do think that disconnecting ourselves from technology might make holidays better. It is annoying to have people constantly texting, tweeting, and checking their facebook when you're trying to have a nice meal or family time. Reading this article made me think about trying to do that for Christmas.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Stressed? Need a Release? Blog
So for this semester had to try a new technology, and I decided to blog my life in my online diary titled Emergence of Immersion. It’s been a rocky road and it was there that I chronicled my life, my thoughts, poetry and events. I used my blog this semester as my release and it time that I really valued. I found this interesting article and it made me contemplate how long wills the blog go.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/57652/why_we_love_to_blog_blogging_as_therapy_pg2.html?cat=72
It’s interesting to me just how many themes blogs can have. From College Drama to Career Fields to Parenting.... I love that my online diary will follow me through my life.
But the article brings an interesting point. Does having a blog that others can read and comment make one take a closer look at themselves. Does it make you question your choices in life, once you’re written these things down?
I say it does. After I wrote many blogs, I thought... "Hmm Brittany you did a really good job on that" or "Brittany why are you so upset over such a small thing?"
I’m curious of your opinion....
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/57652/why_we_love_to_blog_blogging_as_therapy_pg2.html?cat=72
It’s interesting to me just how many themes blogs can have. From College Drama to Career Fields to Parenting.... I love that my online diary will follow me through my life.
But the article brings an interesting point. Does having a blog that others can read and comment make one take a closer look at themselves. Does it make you question your choices in life, once you’re written these things down?
I say it does. After I wrote many blogs, I thought... "Hmm Brittany you did a really good job on that" or "Brittany why are you so upset over such a small thing?"
I’m curious of your opinion....
Cyber Monday
I recently heard about a new version of Black Friday shopping, online! It's called Cyber Mondays and it is increasing exponentially in popularity.
Paypal which is an online paying service reported a 297% increase in mobile payment amount on this Thanksgiving Day versus last year's.
This Cyber Monday is internet merchants' big sale event distributing free shipping, captivating discounts, even free gift cards or whatever they can do to get the attention of online consumers.
Considering that Cyber Monday is the first working day after Thanksgiving, many consumers will be purchasing items at work from their offices. The article states that the National Retail Federation estimates 70.1 million people will continue doing their holiday shopping online on Cyber Monday from their office.
Check out the article at http://money.cnn.com/2010/11/26/news/economy/cyber_monday_next/index.htm?hpt=C2
I also just got an iPhone over break and I have been downloading applications that my friends have told me about. Many of them are now free or cheaper due to after-Thanksgiving-discounts. Certainly my friends pointed out that even more apps will be available at a discount, tomorrow on Cyber Monday.
I find this potentially revolutionary. I feel like more and more aspects of our lives are being transferred to cyberspace. As well as shopping for anything imaginable, which is readily available with a click of a button and some personal credit card information of course.
The article states that the majority of online shoppers are men or young adults, with that in mind, do you guys think the future of shopping is online?
How much more beneficial is it for the consumer to shop online?
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Magazines??
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More interesting Cybertherapy stuff
One of my fellow SL colleagues sent me this link to an interesting article about cybertherapy:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/science/23avatar.html?_r=4&ref=technology
Looks like if you plan to be a therapist or counselor, cybertherapy is definitely something you should know about.
The article talks about some really interesting studies, including some by Yee and Bailenson that we read for the class.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/science/23avatar.html?_r=4&ref=technology
Looks like if you plan to be a therapist or counselor, cybertherapy is definitely something you should know about.
The article talks about some really interesting studies, including some by Yee and Bailenson that we read for the class.
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